Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 analog instant camera review

In the world of instant analog photography, Fujifilm dominates. Their Instax camera line is full of well-known classics, and a keen eye can spot an Instax from a block away. But their newest launch, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 analog instant camera, is in a class of its own. It’s perfect for capturing the moment in dozens of different, creative ways, and as far as instant cameras go, it’s a step above the rest. The Mini 99 is available now at Best Buy, and this review is all about what makes it so special.

What’s in the box of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 Analog Camera?

In the box of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 analog instant camera, you’ll find the camera itself, a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, and a charging cable. Also included is a user guide, a nylon camera strap with removable clips, and a base grip tripod mount.

Technical specs of the Mini 99

Camera functions

• Six colour effects: Faded Green, Warm Tone, Light Blue, Soft Magenta, Sepia, Light Leak
• Five shooting mode: Indoor, Sports, Double Exposure, Bulb, Normal
• Three focus modes: Macro (0.3 m to 0.6 m), Normal/Portrait (0.6 m to 4.0 m), Landscape (3.0 m and beyond)
• 5 brightness settings: Light+, Light, Normal, Dark, Dark+
• In-body flash: Yes (Auto, Fill-In Flash, Red-Eye Removal, Flash Off)
• Self-timer: Yes
• Manual vignette: Yes

Camera body

• Battery: NP-70S
• Battery life: Approximately 100 shots
• Auto power off: Yes (5 minutes)
• Size: 103.5 mm by 117.5 mm by 60 mm
• Weight: 340 grams
• Lens: 2 components, 2 elements, f = 60 mm, 1:12.7
• Shutter: 1.8 seconds to 10 seconds

How does the Instax Mini 99 differ from other Instax models?

The Fujifilm Instax Mini line of instant analog cameras offers a few slightly different product lines. If you’re a fan of instant photography, you’ll know their current flagship product well: The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12. The Mini 12 is fun, lightweight, and bubbly, with a mod aesthetic. There’s also the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo range, which has a digital edge—Mini Evo cameras emphasize pairing your analog camera with your smartphone. Then, there’s the Instax Square SQ cameras, which (as you might have guessed) print in square format.

Finally, Fujifilm offers their higher-number Instax Mini analog cameras, like the Instax Mini 40 and this Instax Mini 99. These cameras are the “grownups” of Fujifilm’s instant photography offerings. They offer an elevated experience. Compared to other Instax Mini models, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 has a more refined vintage aesthetic and finishes that feel more premium than other models. It also introduces the best and newest of Fujifilm’s technological advances, including manual vignetting and in-body light leak and hue tinting effects. As of the 99’s launch in May 2024, these features aren’t available in any other Instax camera.

My experience with the Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 analog instant camera

I cannot say this clearly enough: I love the new Fujifilm Instax Mini 99. It is by far the best camera I’ve tried out of the Fujifilm Instax line, and if you’re expecting a more premium experience from it, you won’t be disappointed. In my opinion, this is one of those rare products where you can spend a little more and get a lot more: It’s pricier than its other Instax Mini compatriots, but every cent of that upgrade is something you feel in its upgraded experience, function, and form.

That opinion is something I’ve felt with this camera from the very first moment. It provides a nicer unboxing experience than most instant cameras—than most cameras in general, even. It’s packaged thoughtfully and it’s easy to open, with every piece fitting in perfectly and every tab sliding out smoothly. The clicks and turns on the Mini 99 body are well-machined and solid, and the camera’s overall weight and texture are satisfying.

One small detail that I love about this instant analog camera is its nylon camera strap. As any frequent photographer knows, straps are essential if you want to shoot on the go but you’re worried about dropping your camera. However, they’re a pain to put on and take off. Fujifilm has fixed this problem with a super simple solution: The strap clips into separate loops. Instead of attaching the entire strap every time you want to switch from strapped to freehand (and then doing it all over because you’ve put the strap on backwards again, as I often do), you attach the loops once and snap the strap into or out of place. It’s just as secure and so, so easy to use—an elegant, premium solution that just makes sense.

Creative shooting styles on the Mini 99

The different modes, styles, and tints of this camera are easy to use and compile. There’s just enough information on this product’s small, digital screen to guide you along. On the back of the camera, you can see your battery alert, film pack count, shooting mode (normal, long exposure, or double exposure), timer settings, and flash control (on, off, or auto). On the side of the camera, tucked against the lens, you can see your focal distance. Finally, on the front of the camera, you can manually trigger vignette mode with a small, satisfying toggle.

These functions compile with Fujifilm’s film effects, too. There’s an exposure dial for up to two stops of exposure modification to go lighter or darker. There’s also a colour effect dial that lets you tint your image with in-body, analog effects powered by colour-changing LEDs. (I love a light leak effect, which I find is best used on this camera in conjunction with the darker effect dial.) By stacking these effects, shooting modes, and features, you can capture the same scene in dozens of different styles.

300 shooting styles for each photo

By my count, each identically-framed photo has 300 possible variations with the Mini 99. No, really! There’s your five brightness levels and six colour effects; then, there’s your flash/no flash option and five shooting modes. Each of those options can be combined in any variation, so 5 x 6 x 2 x 5.

What that means as a photographer is that you have a world of options at your fingers for every photo, even though there are zero digital effects being added on that you have to consider in post-production. You have 300 different possibilities to capture the exact vibe that you’re feeling in the moment.

I, of course, have a few favourites already. I love the combination of the Faded Green tint, vignette effect, and double exposure to create an overlayed, conceptual photo—that’s what I’m holding in the image above. It feels like just-pre-VSCO Tumblr in the best way. (It’s even better if you bring the exposure down a stop.) Another great effect is Light Leak, which adds a hazy red hue and a pop of yellow in the bottom right. It’s perfect for hot summer nights and music festivals, but it’s a little too strong for selfies at an arm’s length; try it on a self timer and a tripod instead. Finally, I’ve been enjoying the Soft Magenta tint, which is the perfect amount of faded and moody. It’s wonderful for photographers who want to create the impression of nostalgia in a single shot.

Final thoughts on the Fujifilm Instax Mini 99

Fujifilm’s big ad campaign for the Mini 99 emphasizes how no two people will capture a photo in quite the same way with this camera, and I think it hits the nail on the head. This camera body is well-built and stylish, but above all else, it has a truly wonderful level of analog functionality. It gives you so many different options for expressing yourself and each photo that comes out of it is luscious and creamy.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 analog instant camera is available now in Best Buy.